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Scots are "biggest spenders"

A survey has found that people in Scotland are the biggest spenders in Britain when it comes to Christmas. The research by a debt advice website found 13 per cent of people plan to spend more than £1,000.

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Christmas is a time when many of us get into debt. Making those repayments can be a real problem, and the debt can take up to a year to clear. Liz McVey is Head of Debt Advice in Scotland for the charity StepChange.

She told ITV Border that people feel under enormous pressure to spend beyond their means at Christmas.

With the countdown on until Christmas, debt advice organisations are urging people to get help now rather than wait for the bills to come in. Research out today suggests 13% of people in Scotland will spend £1000 or more this Christmas, a much higher percentage than people in England.

Organisations like the Citizen's Advice Bureau say some people will find themselves heavily in debt in the 2014. Watch Hannah McNulty's report below

Almost a quarter of people in Scotland will find themselves in debt as a result of this Christmas.

24% of Scots say they are expecting to end up in debt this year compared to 17% of English people and 20% in Wales.

A survey carried out by ScotlandDebt.co.uk found that being the most generous spenders at Christmas is having a negative affect on many people in Scotland.

As 13% expect to spend over £1,000 this year, 62% admitted to overspending during the festive season.

The debt advice charity say the figures are worrying:

"That a quarter of Scots will get into debt this Christmas is very concerning. We don't advocate everyone stopping spending altogether and we all know that circumstances can cause temporary cash shortages, but we want people to think hard about how much credit costs people in Scotland, and how long after the New Year they will be paying for their Christmas festivities."

A recent survey by ScotlandDebt.co.uk found that 13% of Scots plan to spend more than £1,000 this Christmas whilst only four per cent of English people and eight per cent of people in Wales are planning to spent the same.

Scotland is also expected to have the highest average spend this festive season at £611.

However the debt advice charity is concerned by the number of people who could be getting themselves into debt to meet the expensive demands of Christmas.